Around the Valley: Feb. 2

The Covina Downtown Association will be hosting its monthly art walk from 3 to 9 p.m. on Saturday on Citrus Avenue.

The monthly event - which occurs the first Saturday of every month - will help create more awareness to downtown Covina and it merchant members and will include different types of authentic art and music.

Each artist will be designated area in the alleyways along Citrus Avenue. Each artist will be solely responsible for providing their own mobile structure to display their artwork.

To prevent the flu virus from spreading, Citrus Valley Health Partners is discouraging families from bringing children under 14 years of age who are not patients into its campus hospitals, officials said.

Hospital officials said in a statement that its facilities have seen an increase in emergency room visits and patient admissions due to the flu outbreak.

Until public health officials determine that the current flu outbreak is under control, children - who are more susceptible to contracting the virus - will not be allowed to visit patients on the nursing floors.

If children must be brought to the hospitals, they will be asked to wait in the lobbies or cafeterias for a short period of time under adult supervision.

This also applies to the siblings of newborns being cared for in the maternity units.

All visitors will also be asked to wear a mask if they have not received a flu vaccine.

"While we realize that this may be an inconvenience for some families, we hope that they will understand that this restriction is necessary in order to protect the health of their children, our patients and staff," hospital president and CEO Rob Curry said in a statement.

The Covina Library is kicking off Black History Month with events meant to bring awareness to African American history lined up throughout the month.

A "Struggle for Freedom" presentation for adults and children ages 8 and older will be from 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday at 234 N. Second St.

The theatrical production will celebrate the work and life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and showcase the history behind Rosa Parks and the Montgomery bus boycott, the March on Washington and other key events.

Visual displays of black athletes, civil rights leaders, activists and educators will be available for view.

For more information on the rest of the month's activities, call 626-384-5340 or visit www.covinaca.gov.

DUARTE

Foothill Extension project to close road

Highland Avenue in Duarte will be closed in both directions starting Monday as part of the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension from Pasadena to Azusa.

Crews will begin the grade crossing improvements at Highland Avenue where it meets Duarte Road. All lanes and sidewalks in both directions will be closed through March 4. A detour route will be in place for vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians.

Several Duarte Transit, Foothill Transit and Metro Bus Routes will be rerouted during this closure and local access to residences and businesses will be maintained through the detour route.

Expect traffic delays and road closures at the intersection of Badillo Street and Azusa Avenue through Feb. 4.

Road closures will begin after 9 a.m. to avoid additional morning traffic delays. Lane closures and detours may be in place when construction is under way.

The construction period may be extended, depending on rain delays.

The project is replacing existing sewer line with larger pipe to increase the sewer capacity in the area. The project is part of a city-wide sewer rehabilitation project that is funded by wastewater bonds.

For specific information on the scope of work included in this project, visit www.covinaca.gov or call the Covina City Yard at 626-384-5220.